The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Yea your riches have finally reached an end
What you call substance
I wouldn't recommend
You didn't gain the strendth that lies within
I'm here to snatch your soul
the faithful ones don't pretend
Don't want to be some hero
You can bet your ass
I don't give a damn
Never did deny I was human
I am what I am
Underdogs Underdogs
Underdogs Underdogs
Yea I'm tired of you sneering at the top
Flaunting green paper items you just bought
When ability is highly overcast
I'll stick to my vow to make sure that you don't last
Don't want to be some hero
You can bet your ass
I don;t give a damn
Never did deny I was human
I am what I am
Underdogs Underdogs
Underdogs Underdogs
Out to fill my quest
No contest for the rest
Nothing left undone
The lame will fall from number one
Hell your riches have finally reached an end
What you call substance
I wouldn't recommend
You didn't gain no strength that lies within
I'm here to snatch your soul the faithful ones don't pretend
Don't want to be some hero
You can bet your ass
I don't give a damn
Never did deny I was human
I am what I am
Underdogs Underdogs
I am what I am Underdogs
Underdogs Underdogs
I am what I am Underdogs
Underdogs
Underdogs
Underdogs
Underdogs
What you call substance
I wouldn't recommend
You didn't gain the strendth that lies within
I'm here to snatch your soul
the faithful ones don't pretend
Don't want to be some hero
You can bet your ass
I don't give a damn
Never did deny I was human
I am what I am
Underdogs Underdogs
Underdogs Underdogs
Yea I'm tired of you sneering at the top
Flaunting green paper items you just bought
When ability is highly overcast
I'll stick to my vow to make sure that you don't last
Don't want to be some hero
You can bet your ass
I don;t give a damn
Never did deny I was human
I am what I am
Underdogs Underdogs
Underdogs Underdogs
Out to fill my quest
No contest for the rest
Nothing left undone
The lame will fall from number one
Hell your riches have finally reached an end
What you call substance
I wouldn't recommend
You didn't gain no strength that lies within
I'm here to snatch your soul the faithful ones don't pretend
Don't want to be some hero
You can bet your ass
I don't give a damn
Never did deny I was human
I am what I am
Underdogs Underdogs
I am what I am Underdogs
Underdogs Underdogs
I am what I am Underdogs
Underdogs
Underdogs
Underdogs
Underdogs
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,